Christine Platt of Olympia filed the language for the initiative on August 13, 1987. Her group turned in 215,505 signatures and the measure was certified to the Washington State Legislature on February 8, 1988. The question asked in Initiative 97 was, "Shall a hazardous waste cleanup program, partially funded by a 7/10 of 1% tax on hazardous substances, be enacted?"

The legislature declined to adopt Initiative 97 and, instead, decided to refer a similar measure to the ballot, Referral 97B.